by E. L. Todd
“I can tell.”
She averted her gaze in embarrassment.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” he said gently. “I just hope you realize what you’re missing.”
“Oh, I do,” she said quickly.
“It felt really nice for me,” he said. “You were tight, like breaking in a virgin.”
“That’s sweet,” she said sarcastically.
He smiled. “I’m just saying…”
She picked at her pancakes.
“Why have you been practicing abstinence?”
“I just haven’t found anyone I like. I don’t sleep with someone unless I know I really like them. And I haven’t found that person.” She caught him staring at her. “That doesn’t apply to our situation. Don’t worry.”
“Worry?” he asked.
“I don’t expect anything from you.”
“So, what was last night to you?”
She shrugged. “To be honest, I really just wanted to have sex. It’s been so long and I knew I needed to get back in the game. Boy, am I glad I did.”
His expression was unreadable. Whatever he was thinking was a mystery to her. “I’m glad I could be of assistance to you.”
“Big assistance.”
“Is that why you agreed to go to the gala with me?” His voice was calm and slow, like he was having a business conversation.
“Yes—no. Both.”
He nodded. “You sound confused.”
“I didn’t go to the gala hoping to get laid, but I knew if I liked you I would consider it. Alexandra pretty much forced me to go.”
“Alexandra?” he asked.
“My sister.”
“Your roommate? I thought you two looked like.”
“Yeah.”
“So, can I ask you out on another date, or is this strictly a meaningless physical relationship?”
“Uh…”
He waited for her to answer.
“I—I don’t know.”
“Okay…that helps,” he said sarcastically.
“I’m just not ready to be in a relationship,” she said with a sigh. “I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t ask if you wanted to be in a relationship. Just another date. There’s no pressure.”
“But dates lead to a relationship.”
“But that road can be as long or short as you want it to be.”
“I—I don’t know.”
He nodded. “Okay. We’ll just let it go, then.”
Abby looked at him. “Are you mad?”
“No,” he said simply. “I can be patient.”
“Patient?”
“I knew getting you to agree to a date in the first place would take some time. And it’ll take more time for the next step.”
“I never said there would be a next step.” She felt the panic rise.
He placed his hand on top of hers. “Hey. It’ s okay. We can be whatever you want to be. Don’t worry about that. Forget I said anything.” He pulled his hand away then sipped his coffee. She ate her pancakes even though she wasn’t hungry anymore.
“Charles brought you a change of clothes. I figured you wouldn’t want to go home wearing that dress.”
“Oh,” she said. “Thank you.”
He took the plates and placed them in the sink.
“Well, I should go.” She grabbed the clothes from the couch and pulled them on. It was a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
“Charles can take you home.”
“No,” she said quickly. “I can walk.”
“I really don’t mind,” he said. “And I can walk you home if you prefer.”
“No, it’s fine.” She grabbed her purse and headed toward the door. “Thank you for the wonderful evening.”
He nodded. “Thank you for coming with me.” He didn’t reach for her or embrace her in any way. When she saw the darkness in his eyes, she knew something was wrong.
“What’s bothering you?”
“Nothing,” he said with a straight face. “I’ll see you at work on Monday.”
“Okay…”
He held the door open and waited for her to leave.
She was surprised he didn’t kiss her or embrace her. She tightened her purse over her shoulder then leaned toward him. Her lips pressed against his gently, making a quiet smacking noise. Any time they touched, the chemistry ignited. He pulled away then pressed his lips to her forehead.
“Be safe,” he whispered.
His words hit her unexpectedly. “I will…”
He watched her walk out the door before he closed it behind her. She left his apartment and went to Alexandra’s. Her sister was probably having sex with Blaise all over the apartment , but maybe they could take a break.
When Alexandra opened the door, her hair looked like a bird’s nest. “Did your apartment burn down or something? You’re always here.”
Abby barged in. “You can only have sex so many times without injuring yourself.”
“Tell that to Blaise,” she said with a smile. “So, why are you here?”
“Well, I haven’t gone home yet, so I thought I’d stop by on the way.” Her meaning hung in the air. It took Alexandra a moment to make the inference.
“You slept with him?” she said excitedly.
Abby nodded. “Yep. I’m a slut.”
“How was it?”
“Damn…it was fucking good.”
Alexandra smiled. “You should take my advice more often.”
“That was just a one time thing.” Abby grabbed a mug and poured a glass of coffee.
“Are you going to sleep with him again?” Alexandra asked.
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“What?” Alexandra crossed her arms over her chest. “What do you mean you don’t know?”
“He was—weird when I left.”
“Weird?”
“He wanted to go on another date but I said I wasn’t looking for anything serious.”
Alexandra nodded. “Maybe he wants something more, Abby.”
“I’m not ready for that.”
“Well, try to be. He seems like a great guy. And if he’s wonderful in bed, he’s the man of the year. Don’t let him go. I’m sure he could pick up someone else in an instant.”
Alexandra sipped her coffee. “I can’t rush into anything. It’ll just make it worse.”
“What did you say to him?”
“Pretty much the same thing.”
“And how did he feel about that?” Abby asked.
Alexandra shrugged. “He said we could take it slow—no pressure.”
“Then that’s what you do.”
“I don’t know…let’s just take baby steps. I had sex with him and I liked it. That’s plenty of progress.”
“And when you want more milk, I know what cow you’re going to want.”
“You’re calling me boss a cow?” Abby asked incredulously.
“You know what I mean.” She rolled her eyes. “Now you need to tell him your real address and stop using our apartment.”
“Uh…”
“He doesn’t seem crazy,” Alexandra said. “He seems like a gentleman. You can’t be afraid of everything. That’s no way to live. And Blaise is just down the road. If you ever need anything, I know he would be there in an instant.”
Blaise came out of the bedroom. “Is someone bothering you?” he asked immediately. His arms were flexed for a fight.
“See?” Alexandra said.
“No,” Abby said immediately. “I’m fine.”
“Okay,” Blaise said.
“And I can take care of myself,” Abby said. “I don’t need Blaise.”
“Then why are you stealing our address?” Alexandra asked.
“Just because I can defend myself doesn’t mean I’m not cautious.” She finished her mug then put it on the counter. “I should go. I just wanted to report my nightly humping.”
“You got laid last night?” Blaise asked.
“Oh yeah,” Abby sai
d. “And it was amazing.”
“You sound like Alexandra every morning,” he said as he looked at his fiancé.
Alexandra’s cheek blushed.
“I’m leaving before I throw up,” Alexandra said as she walked out the door. “But at least I don’t have to be jealous of you two anymore.”
Alexandra walked with her to the door. “And I have a feeling I’m going to be jealous of you and Fernan soon.”
Blaise hooked his arm around her waist. “You’ll never have to be jealous,” he whispered into her ear.
“Yuck,” Abby said. “I need to get a paper bag for my walk home.”
“Shut up.” Alexandra shut the door.
Abby could hear their quiet giggles through the crack. Then the sound of intense kissing came to her ear. She quickly left the hallway and returned to her apartment so she could get to class on time. But Fernan was always in the back of her mind.
Chapter Eight
When she went to Paul’s on Sunday morning, he didn’t answer the door. She knocked again then finally heard the sound of footsteps. When he opened the door, his hair was in disarray, and he looked half asleep.
“Hey,” he mumbled. “Is everything okay?”
“The Yankees are playing,” she said. “We can’t miss it.”
He wiped the sleep from his eyes. “Oh yeah.”
Abby walked inside with her two cups of Starbucks. “Good thing I got you an espresso.”
He took it then set it on the coffee table. “Thanks.”
“I’m surprised you’re still asleep. It’s almost noon.”
He yawned. “I was out late last night.”
“Doing what?”
He shrugged. “I went to a bar and had too many drinks.”
Abby grabbed the remote and turned on the television. “So, you have a serious hangover?”
“Could you keep your voice down?” he said with a smile.
She laughed. “Would you like some Aspirin?”
He shook his head slightly. “No, I’ll be okay.”
“So, you didn’t pick up a random chick and take her home, right?”
A slight smile came to his lips. “I may have.”
“Paul, that’s not like you.”
“Well, I’m depressed as hell. And it makes me feel better—at the time.”
“You’ll regret it later when you catch something.”
“I’m depressed, not stupid,” he said. He sipped the coffee then returned it to the table.
“Just don’t do something you’ll regret later.”
“Like cheat on my girlfriend and lose her forever?” he snapped. “Yeah, I learned my lesson.”
Abby gave him a sympathetic look. He was drowning in his own sorrow, unable to keep his head above water. She sat closer to him then rubbed his back. He leaned forward and said nothing, letting her dig her fingers into his shirt. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“God, does it ever get better?”
“It does,” she said. “I promise.”
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t give to go back in time.”
“But you can’t. You can only move forward. And Paul, you’re a great guy. You’ll find someone worthwhile, way better than my sister. Let’s be real. Alex is an annoying pain in the ass.”
He chuckled. “But I loved her.”
“You’ll love someone else.”
“Does she know you’re spending all this time with me?”
“No,” Abby said. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“I hope I don’t run into her somewhere,” he said with a sigh. “It would be catastrophic.”
“This city is pretty big. I find it unlikely.”
“I hope you’re right.”
There was a loud knock on the door. “Get up, asshole.”
Abby raised an eyebrow. “Is that Toby?”
“He’s the only one who calls me by my nickname.”
Abby laughed. “Your nickname is asshole?”
“He uses it at work too.” Paul walked to the door then opened it. “What?”
“What?” He walked in carrying a pizza box. “The game is coming on. That’s what.”
“You could have called,” Paul said.
“I did, asshole. You didn’t answer.” He moved to the living room and stopped when he saw Abby. “Don’t you have any other friends?”
She glared at him. “Don’t you ever stop being a dick?”
Paul sighed and rubbed his temples. “It’s way too early in the morning for this.”
Toby put the pizza and beer on the table. “Is she staying?”
“Abby is always welcome over here,” Paul said.
“Seriously, are you fucking her? Because that’s a really stupid idea.”
“No,” Paul said immediately. “We’re just friends.”
“And I would never do that to my sister,” Abby snapped.
Toby ignored her. “How are you supposed to get over Alex if you’re around her evil twin all the time?”
“I’m not evil!” Abby’s eyes narrowed with hate.
Paul sighed. “Can you two just stop for, like, five minutes?” He sat on the couch in the center, separating them. “Let’s just watch the game in peace.”
Toby glared at her before he sat down.
Abby watched him before she returned her eyes to the screen.
“What did you do last night?” Toby asked.
“Nothing interesting,” Paul said.
“You want to go out tonight?”
Paul shook his head. “I’m staying in tonight. Somewhere quiet.”
The game came on and they watched it together. Paul drank water while Abby and Toby drank the beers. She noticed she drank four bottles and he only drank two. She automatically dubbed him as a whimp. She cheered when the Yankees scored and cursed the ref when he made stupid calls.
“You like sports?” Toby asked in surprise.
“What’s surprising about that?”
“It’s a little advanced for someone like you to follow.”
Abby wanted to throw a bottle at his head.
“You two are just ridiculous,” Paul said. “Knock it off.”
“Then don’t bring her around,” Toby said.
“I was here first, dick,” Abby argued.
“I’m not a dick,” Toby snapped.
“Well, that’s my nickname for you.” Abby crossed her arms over her chest and watched the TV. She felt Toby glare at her for a moment.
“Paul?”
They all turned at the sound of the female voice. A woman was standing in the entryway, her dress wrinkled and bunched up in the wrong places. Her hair was messy and tangled, and her makeup was smeared across her face. Abby and Toby both looked at Paul in accusation.
Paul walked to the door. “Here’s some money for a cab.” He opened his wallet and handed over the cash.
“Can I see you tomorrow?”
Paul opened the door and ushered her outside. “Maybe some other time.” He shut the door and came back to the living room.
Toby and Abby both stared at him.
“Let’s not talk about it,” Paul said.
Toby drank his beer then looked at the TV. Abby shook her head slightly then leaned back in the chair.
“Where are my keys?”
They all looked behind them to see another girl searching in her purse.
“Oh,” Paul said. “I forgot.” He walked to the front door and looked in her purse. He found the keys and pulled them out. “Here.”
“Thanks.” She took them then headed to the door. “Call me.”
“Yeah.” He shut the door after she left.
Toby and Abby both stared at him incredulously.
Paul shrugged. “What? I was drunk.”
“You were with two women?” Toby asked incredulously.
“Wow,” Abby said. “I didn’t know your brother could count.”
Toby turned on her. “You’re so lucky I don’t hit women.”
�
��Yeah, it wouldn’t be a fair fight,” Abby said. “Because I’d kick your ass.”
Paul moved between them. “Enough.”
Toby glared at Abby before he turned to his brother. “What the hell are you doing?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I can’t really remember last night.”
Abby rolled her eyes. “That’s safe.”
“This isn’t like you,” Toby said. “At all.”
“I know,” Paul said with a sigh. “But I don’t know what to do with myself.”
Toby gave him a sympathetic look then clapped him on the shoulder. “We’ll get through this, alright?”
Abby stared at Toby. “I’m surprised you even care.”
“I care about my family. I just don’t care about you,” Toby snapped.
“Are you guys five?” Paul asked.
Abby rubbed his shoulder. “We’ll get you through this, Paul. But you need to stop sleeping around. It’s not healthy.”
“How many have you been with?” Toby asked.
Paul was quiet for a moment. “Like thirty.”
“Yuck,” Abby said.
“Hey,” Paul said. “When we go through difficult times, we do stupid things.”
“I’m not judging you,” she said quickly. “I just think you’re better than this.”
“You aren’t doing drugs, right?” Toby asked.
“Not yet,” Paul said.
Toby gave him a serious look. “That’s not funny.”
Paul smiled. “It kinda was.”
Abby grabbed his hand. “This stops today, Paul.”
He nodded. “Please don’t tell Daisy.”
“I would never do that,” Toby said. “She looks up to you.”
“Now I’m not sure why…” Paul sighed. His phone rang in his pocket so he answered it. “What?” His polite attitude was completely gone. “Yeah. I’ll be right there.” He hung up.
“What was that?” Toby asked.
“Some paperwork at the office,” Paul said. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll come with you,” Toby said.
“No, really. I’ll be right back. I just need to sign something.” He headed to the door then grabbed his keys.
Abby leaned forward. “Paul?”
“Yeah?”
“There’s not a third girl in there, right?”
Paul laughed. “You’ll find out.” He walked out.
Toby leaned back in his chair and sighed. He glanced at Abby then looked at the TV. “Let’s just not speak while he’s gone.”
